Best gifts for iPhone fans [Gift Guide 2018]

With the holidays right around the corner, you should have started your shopping by now. And if you’re anything like the rest of us, you’re already fed up of it. That’s why Cult of Mac is here to help.

Our handy holiday gift guides will help you pick out the perfect present for friends and loves ones. We’ve hand-picked all kinds of awesome accessories and gadgets that are worthy of your hard-earned cash — and guaranteed to fetch a smile.

This guide is for the iPhone fans in your life, and it includes something to suit every budget.

AirPods are for everyone.Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

AirPods should be on everyone’s shopping list

Apple’s on a mission to eliminate the headphone jack entirely, which means wireless headphones are the way forward. And they don’t come much better than AirPods for those who use iOS devices.

AirPods offers super-simple connectivity, great sound and reliability, and terrific battery life. They also come in a handy charging case that keeps them safe while they’re rolling around in the bottom of a bag. No matter who you buy AirPods for, or what they’ll use them to listen to, they’ll be delighted. — Killian Bell

Apple’s leather cases are always a winner

For premium protection that’s as pretty as the iPhone itself, look no further than Apple’s official leather case selection. Available for iPhone 7 and later, these cases come in a range of pretty colors — all made from the finest European leather.

They’re nice and slim so they don’t make your iPhone too bulky, but they’re still robust enough to protect it against dings and drops. They also have a soft, microfiber lining that helps prevent debris from scratching your iPhone should it make its way inside the case.

With prices starting at $45, you almost certainly won’t find a nicer, more attractive iPhone case. — Killian Bell

Mujjo’s leather cases offer more

Mujjo also makes some spectacular leather cases for iPhone — and they offer a credit card holder if you want it. Made from premium full-grain leather, they’re incredibly robust and well-built, and they look even better over time. They’re also slim and lightweight.

Mujjo just introduced a blue color option that’s absolutely stunning, but black, tan, and olive are also available. Prices start at $51.64, but if you use the promo code #cultofmac at checkout before December 19, you’ll save 15 percent. — Killian Bell

Apple’s Clear Case shows off iPhone XR

Apple just launched its first official iPhone XR case, and it’s the ideal Christmas gift for those who recently picked up the colorful new smartphone. The Clear Case is made from a “blend of optically clear polycarbonate and flexible TPU materials” to provide protection without covering up the iPhone XR’s gorgeous design. It’s also scratch-resistant inside and out. — Killian Bell

A wireless charger for everything

If you’re going to gift a wireless charger, make sure it’s a good one. The Zens Dual+Watch can top-up an Apple Watch (any model) and two other devices simultaneously. It’s ideal for iPhone users but is also compatible with other Qi charging gadgets, offering up to 20W of power. Like all good chargers, the Dual+Watch offers thermal management to prevent overheating and a non-slip surface that will stop your devices from slipping off. — Killian Bell

Premium wireless headphones with big sound

Looking for the best wireless over-ear headphones? Moshi’s Avanti Air boast a premium, retro look, comfortable cushioning, and — most importantly — great audio quality. The battery life is darn impressive, too, with more than 27 hours of playtime. My favorite audiophile discovery of 2018 — Luke Dormehl

Light up iPhone photos the easy way

The Lume Cube Air is an ice cube-size LED light perfect for when you need to make an iPhone photo — or a photo with any camera — in a dark place. Durable and waterproof, the AIR throws 400 LUX of power at 1 meter with a 60-degree beam angle. You can control the brightness and use in continuous mode or as a strobe. The Lume Cube AIR comes with a number of useful accessories, including diffusers, and it’s small enough to take anywhere. — David Pierini

Lenses make every shot more spectacular

Carrying around a DSLR makes a lot less sense these days thanks to the iPhone and Moment’s amazing lenses.

I decided to go all-in on iPhone-only photography this year and it wouldn’t have been possible without Moment’s superior glass. Attaching a lens takes just a few seconds and they take up hardly any room in your bag or pocket. The wide-angle and macro lenses are my favorites but it’s hard to not want to buy the telephoto and super-wide angle lens too. — Buster Hein

iPhone gimbal makes home movies amazing

Creating professional-quality videos on iPhone is dummy easy now with Movi’s Freefly gimbal. It’s more than just a stabilizer; it’s more like a cinematic robot.

I’ve been using Movi to capture sick cliff jumping footy all summer and have been blown away by how easy it is to use to get shots no other gimbal can get. From moving time-lapses to cinematic barrel roll shots, Movi is the one piece of gear you need to take your shot-on-iPhone videos to the next level. — Buster Hein

The entire thing is about the size of three iPhone XS units stacked on-top of each other. I’ve been using the P300 Neo projector at outdoor parties for the last few months and it’s always a crowd pleaser, whether we use it play Mario Kart on the side of my van or watch BioDome in the woods.

Give the gift of music

Everyone loves music, so for those who already have everything, an Apple Music gift card is ideal. You can buy them for as little as $10, which is great if you’re shopping on a tight budget, and they’ll grant access to a library of millions of tracks for at least a month.

You can also have your gift cards mailed or emailed to their recipients, so if you’re buying for friends in foreign countries, or you left your shopping until the last minute, they’re perfect. — Killian Bell

The Lightpad and Loop Block work together.Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

A treat for the little dummer boy (or girl)

This is the perfect way to shut up the annoying table-drummer in your life. Paired with an iPhone (or Mac or iPad), the Roli Lightpad Block makes music making easy for everyone.

It’s a pressure-sensitive silicone-topped block that doubles as a screen, and the bright colored patterns correspond to drum pads, music scales, even control sliders for your favorite music apps. It’s Bluetooth, it’s MIDI, and it’s awesome. — Charlie Sorrel